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1980
The Ranger Uranium Mine commences production
on Mirrar Land, against the wishes of the traditional Owners.
1982
Mining giant Pan Continental, the Federal Liberal government and the
Northern Land Council pressure the sick father of the current Senior
Traditional Owner Yvonne Margarula to sign his consent to the Jabiluka
mine proposal.
1983
The ALP wins government, and restricts uranium mining to "Three Named
Mines" (Narbalek, Olympic Dam/Roxby Downs and Ranger) for thirteen years.
1991
In frustration at the stalled uranium industry in Australia, PanCon
sell the Jabiluka lease to ERA (Energy Resources Australia) for $125
million.
1996
The Federal Liberal election win ends Labor's 'three mines policy’.
Jabiluka is given approval in principle.
The Mirrars’ organisation, the Gundjehmi Corporation and executive officer
Jacqui Katona start to publicise their plight. NT Environment Centre
and ACF (Australian Conservation Foundation) get involved.
1998
Various surveys show 60%-87% Australians oppose the Jabiluka uranium
mine.
March-October
Nearly 3000 people pass through the Jabiluka Blockade camp, carrying
out non-violent direct actions against the mine and raising the profile
of the issue.
September
ALP reluctantly gives a commitment to stop Jabiluka if elected, but
the Coalition wins the 1998 election by a much reduced margin.
October
After massive anti-mining public response to Public Environment Report,
the Government gives ERA the green light to plan to mill uranium at
Jabiluka. This is not ERA’s preferred option - their whole project is
based on being able to mill at Ranger. This requires the signature of
Yvonne Margarula, the Senior Traditional owner, because the haulage
road between Jabiluka and Ranger wasn't in the 'agreement' signed by
her father, as the leases were then in different hands. She has refused
to give her consent.
ERA’s share price bottoms out.
1999
ERA announces it will continue working at Jabiluka until June. Then
will suspend the operation for at least 12 months to negotiate a milling
option. The pressure on Yvonne intensifies. Low uranium prices and a
desire for a Jabiluka protest-free Sydney Olympics could also be a factor
in this suspension.
12 JULY 1999
Announcement by UNESCO's World Heritage Bureau regarding the 'In Danger'
status of Kakadu. Decision deferred for 12 months due to heavy-handed
lobbying by Australian government.
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